Bicycle Frame Rear suspension with Flexing Frame Segment

ABSTRACT

A bicycle frame includes a substantially rigid front frame portion and a substantially rigid rear frame portion. A link is connected to the rear frame portion by a first pivot and to the front frame portion by a second pivot. A frame segment is rigidly connected at a first end to one of the rear frame portion and the front frame portion and pivotably connected at a second end to other of the rear frame portion or the front frame portion by a third pivot. The frame segment is flexible proximate the second end.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/149,414, filed May 9, 2016, which is a continuation application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/577,054 (now U.S. Pat. No.9,359,039), filed Dec. 19, 2014, which claims priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/919,833, filed Dec. 23, 2013, eachentitled “Bicycle Frame Rear suspension with Flexing Frame Segment,”each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The present disclosure may also be related to the following commonlyassigned application: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/244,496, filedApr. 3, 2014, entitled “Bicycle Frame Rear Suspension with Flexing FrameSegment”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

Technical Field

The present invention is directed toward bicycles, and more particularlytoward a bicycle frame rear suspension.

Background

Rear suspensions have become commonplace in off-road bicycles such asmountain bikes. Rear suspensions allow the rear wheel to pivot upwardrelative to a forward portion of the bicycle frame to damp and absorbthe impact of off-road features such as rocks commonly found on mountainbiking trails. Such rear suspension frames typically include a rigidfront frame portion pivotally connected to a rear frame portionfunctioning as a swing arm pivoting about a pivot or pivots between thefront frame portion and the rear frame portion. Typically a spring orshock absorber is connected between the front frame portion and the rearframe portion to bias the rear frame portion to a rest or un-pivotedposition relative to the front frame portion and to absorb or damppivoting of the rear frame portion about the pivot(s) as an obstacle isencountered. One known problem with many rear suspension systems is thatas a rider pedals, the shifting of the rider's weight and variations inchain force causes the suspension to bob, a condition commonly known as“pedal bob”, wasting rider energy and potentially causing a loss oftraction for the rear wheel. In an effort to minimize pedal bob, avariety of bicycle frame rear suspensions have been devised, many ofwhich incorporate a number of pivots and links. These various bicycleframe rear suspensions have varying success in minimizing pedal bobwhile maintaining pedaling efficiency. However, the additional pivotsand links these rear suspensions require add weight and cost to thebicycle frame and create maintenance issues as invariably grit invadesthe pivots creating annoying creaks and increasing wear of the pivots.Thus, a need exists for a bicycle rear suspension frame which reducespedal bob and maintains pedaling efficiency while reducing the number oflinks and pivots in the rear suspension.

The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of theproblems discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A bicycle frame includes a substantially rigid front frame portion and asubstantially rigid rear frame portion. A link is connected to the rearframe portion by a first pivot and to the front frame portion by asecond pivot. A frame segment is rigidly connected at a first end to therear frame portion and pivotably connected at a second end to the frontframe portion by a third pivot. The frame segment is flexible parallelto an axis of the third pivot.

Embodiments may further include a shock absorber pivotably connectedbetween the rear frame portion and the front frame portion to opposepivoting of the rear frame portion relative to the front frame portionin a clockwise direction about the third pivot. Embodiments may includethe first pivot floating in an arc about the second pivot which is fixedrelative to the front frame portion as the rear frame portion pivotsrelative to the front frame portion about the third pivot. The framesegment is configured to flex to enable the first pivot to move in thearc about the second pivot as the frame segment pivots about the thirdpivot between a rest position and a fully pivoted position. Embodimentsinclude the frame segment behaving as a leaf spring as it flexes, withthe frame segment being configured to provide a spring force that variesbetween opposing and promoting pivoting of the rear fame portion aboutthe third pivot as the rear frame portion is pivoted about the thirdpivot from a rest position to a fully pivoted position. Embodimentsinclude the frame segment being integrally formed with the rear frameportion. Embodiments include the frame segment being substantiallylaterally rigid.

A further embodiment may comprise a bicycle frame including asubstantially rigid front frame portion and a substantially rigid rearframe portion. A link is connected to the rear frame portion by a firstpivot and to the front frame portion by a second pivot. A frame segmentis rigidly connected at a first end to one of the rear frame portion orthe front frame portion and pivotably connected at a second end to theother of the rear frame portion or the front frame portion by a thirdpivot. The frame segment is flexible parallel to an axis of the thirdpivot.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodimentsdiscussed without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, while the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also included embodiments havingdifferent combination of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the above described features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particularembodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions ofthe specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals areused to refer to similar components. In some instances, a sub-label isassociated with a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similarcomponents. When reference is made to a reference numeral withoutspecification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to allsuch multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 is a schematic right side elevation view of a bicycle framehaving a rear suspension with a flexing frame segment shown in a restposition;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 1 withthe rear frame portion partially pivoted clockwise about a pivotrelative to the front frame portion;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 1 withthe rear frame portion in a fully pivoted position about the pivotrelative to the front frame portion;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 1illustrating an arc of travel of a floating pivot as the rear suspensiontravels from a rest to a fully pivoted position;

FIG. 5 is a graph representative of spring force versus suspensiontravel provided by the shock absorber in association with the bicycleframe depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a graph representative of spring force versus suspensiontravel provided by a flexible segment of the rear frame portion of FIG.1 in combination with the spring force of the shock absorber depicted inFIG. 5 (which is not necessarily at the same scale as the graph of FIG.5);

FIG. 7 is a graph showing spring force versus suspension travel curvesof the embodiment of FIG. 1 provided by the shock only, the framesegment only and the combination of shock absorber and the frame segmentmore accurately the spring force curves of the rear suspensionillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic right side elevation view of a second embodimentof a bicycle frame having a rear suspension with the flexing segmentshown in a rest position;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 8 withthe rear frame partially pivoted clockwise about a pivot relative to thefront frame portion;

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 8with the rear frame portion in a fully pivoted position about the pivotrelative to the front frame portion;

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 8illustrating an arc of travel of a floating pivot as the rear suspensiontravels from a rest to a fully pivoted position;

FIG. 12 is a graph showing spring force versus suspension travel curvesof the second embodiment provided by the shock only, the frame segmentonly and the combination of shock absorber and the frame segment;

FIG. 13 is a schematic right side elevation view of a third embodimentof a bicycle frame having a rear suspension with the flexing segmentshown in a rest position;

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 13with the rear frame partially pivoted clockwise about a pivot relativeto the front frame portion;

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 13with the rear frame portion in a fully pivoted position about the pivotrelative to the front frame portion;

FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 13illustrating an arc of travel of a floating pivot as the rear suspensiontravels from a rest to a fully pivoted position;

FIG. 17 is a graph showing spring force versus suspension travel curvesof the third embodiment provided by the shock only, the frame segmentonly and the combination of shock absorber and the frame segment;

FIG. 18 is a schematic right side elevation view of a fourth embodimentof a bicycle frame having a rear suspension with the flexing segmentshown in a rest position;

FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 18with the rear frame partially pivoted clockwise about a pivot relativeto the front frame portion;

FIG. 20 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 18with the rear frame portion in a fully pivoted position about the pivotrelative to the front frame portion;

FIG. 21 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 18illustrating an arc of travel of a floating pivot as the rear suspensiontravels from a rest to a fully pivoted position;

FIG. 22 is a graph showing spring force versus suspension travel curvesof the fourth embodiment provided by the shock only, the frame segmentonly and the combination of shock absorber and the frame segment;

FIG. 23 is a schematic right side elevation view of a fifth embodimentof a bicycle frame having a rear suspension with the flexing segmentshown in a rest position;

FIG. 24 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 23with the rear frame partially pivoted clockwise about a pivot relativeto the front frame portion;

FIG. 25 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 23with the rear frame portion in a fully pivoted position about the pivotrelative to the front frame portion;

FIG. 26 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 23illustrating an arc of travel of a floating pivot as the rear suspensiontravels from a rest to a fully pivoted position;

FIG. 27 is a graph showing spring force versus suspension travel curvesof the fifth embodiment provided by the shock only, the frame segmentonly and the combination of shock absorber and the frame segment;

FIG. 28 is a schematic right side elevation view of a sixth embodimentof a bicycle frame having a rear suspension with the flexing segmentshown in a rest position;

FIG. 29 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 28with the rear frame partially pivoted clockwise about a pivot relativeto the front frame portion;

FIG. 30 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 28with the rear frame portion in a fully pivoted position about the pivotrelative to the front frame portion;

FIG. 31 is a schematic representation of the bicycle frame of FIG. 28illustrating an arc of travel of a floating pivot as the rear suspensiontravels from a rest to a fully pivoted position;

FIG. 32 is a graph showing spring force versus suspension travel curvesof the sixth embodiment provided by the shock only, the frame segmentonly and the combination of shock absorber and the frame segment;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bicycle frame ofFIG. 1 having a rear suspension with a flexing frame segment; and

FIG. 34 is a right side view of an alternate embodiment of a bicycleframe of FIG. 1 having a rear suspension with a flexing frame segment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While various aspects and features of certain embodiments have beensummarized above, the following detailed description illustrates a fewembodiments in further detail to enable one of skill in the art topractice such embodiments. The described examples are provided forillustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to oneskilled in the art, however, that other embodiments of the presentinvention may be practiced without some of these specific details.Several embodiments are described and claimed herein, and while variousfeatures are ascribed to different embodiments, it should be appreciatedthat the features described with respect to one embodiment may beincorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token, however,no single feature or features of any described or claimed embodimentshould be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, asother embodiments of the invention may omit such features.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used herein to expressquantities, dimensions, and so forth used should be understood as beingmodified in all instances by the term “about.” In this application, theuse of the singular includes the plural unless specifically statedotherwise, and use of the terms “and” and “or” means “and/or” unlessotherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term “including,” as wellas other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” should be considerednon-exclusive. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompassboth elements and components comprising one unit and elements andcomponents that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically statedotherwise.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a bicycle frame 10 having a rearsuspension with a flexing frame segment. The bicycle frame 10 comprisesa substantially rigid front frame portion 12 and a substantially rigidrear frame portion 14. The front frame portion 12 includes a top tube 16rigidly connected to a down tube 18 and a seat tube 20 which in turn arerigidly connected to each other at a bottom bracket shell 22. As usedherein “substantially rigid” means the various frame members are rigidlyconnected and the various frame members themselves are sufficientlyrigid that the frame portion cannot yield or deform significantly undernormal usage, wherein the frame portion maintains its shape when underoperative loads, for example, the shape depicted in FIG. 1.

The substantially rigid rear frame portion 14 includes a chain stay 24rigidly connected at a proximal end to a proximal end of a seat stay 26,each of which are rigidly connected to a bridge stay 28 at their distalends. The chain stay 24 and the seat stay 26 can consist of chain stayand seat stay pairs configured to receive a bicycle wheel 30therebetween (see FIG. 33). The proximal ends of the chain stay 24 andthe seat stay 26 may be rigidly attached to an axle housing 32 whichreceives an axle of the wheel 30. Alternate embodiments of the front andrear frames are expressly included within the scope of the invention.For example, the front and rear frame portions do not necessarily haveto be in the form of a triangle as illustrated herein. The rear frameportion may have any configuration that renders the rear framesubstantially rigid so that it acts as a swing arm in the variousembodiments disclosed herein.

The rear frame portion 14 further includes a frame segment 34 which maybe fixedly attached to the substantially rigid rear frame. The framesegment 34 can be integrally formed with the rear frame, for example,when the rear frame portion 14 is made of a composite material or may berigidly connected by welding, bolting or otherwise fixedly attached whenthe rear frame portion 14 is made of metal. Alternatively, the framesegment may be fixedly attached to the substantially rigid front frameportion.

The substantially rigid rear frame portion 14 is attached to thesubstantially rigid front frame portion 12 in a manner providing therear suspension. As depicted in FIG. 1, a link 38 extends between afirst pivot 40 near the connection between the bridge stay 28 and theseat stay 26 and a second pivot 42 attached to the front frame portion12 above a third or bottom pivot 36 and below and in front of the firstpivot 40. The frame segment 34 is pivotably attached at the third pivot36 to the seat tube 20 near the bottom bracket shell 22. Alternatively,in an embodiment where the frame segment is rigidly attached to thefront frame portion, the frame segment is pivotably attached at thethird pivot to the rear frame portion near the bottom of the bridge stay28. A shock absorber 44 extends between the substantially rigid frontframe portion 12 and rear frame portion 14 and is pivotably connected ata first shock pivot 46 to the substantially rigid rear frame portion 14proximate the connection of the seat stay 26 and the bridge stay 28 andpivotably connected to the front frame portion at second shock pivot 48connected to a bracket 50 which is in turn fixedly attached to the toptube 16. Embodiments could substitute a spring or other elastic elementfor the shock absorber 44, and “shock absorber” is intended herein toinclude all such substitutes as well as conventional shock absorbers.

In certain embodiments the frame segment 34 functions as a leaf springand is configured to be laterally rigid but flexible parallel to an axisof the third pivot 36. In one embodiment, the frame segment 34 may bemade of a plate of metal, for example spring steel or titanium. Inanother embodiment, the frame segment may be made of a compositematerial. In an embodiment where the rear frame portion 14 is fabricatedfrom composite materials, the frame segment 34 may be integrally madewith the rear frame portion (or alternatively the front frame portion)of a fiber reinforced composite. The operation of the frame segment 34acting as a leaf spring will be described in greater detail below.

FIG. 2 illustrates the bicycle frame 10 of FIG. 1 where the rear wheel30 encounters an obstacle 54 causing the rear frame portion 14 to pivotclockwise about the third pivot 36 to a partially actuated position. Thepivoting of the rear frame portion in turn causes link 38 to pivotclockwise about the second pivot 42. In effect, the second pivot 42 isfixed and the first pivot 40 floats along an arc 56 (see FIG. 4). Toenable this movement, the flexible frame segment 34 flexes as depictedin FIG. 2. As the effective distance between the first pivot 40 and thethird pivot 36 increases from the rest position to the partiallyactuated position as illustrated in FIG. 2, the flexible frame segmentexerts a spring force opposing rotation of the rear frame portion aboutthe third pivot 36.

FIG. 3 depicts the bicycle frame 10 where the rear wheel 30 hasencountered a larger obstacle 54 and shows the rear frame portion 14 ina fully pivoted position clockwise about the third pivot 36. Here thefirst pivot 40 has traveled to the fully pivoted end of the arc 56. Inthis position the flexible frame segment 34 is returned to a near-planaror non-flexed configuration as the distance between the first pivot 40and the third pivot 36 is nearly the same as it is at the start of thearc 56 in a rest position.

In this embodiment, as the rear frame portion 14 pivots clockwise aboutthe third pivot 36 the shock absorber 44 compresses and applies a springforce opposing clockwise rotation for the rear frame portion. FIG. 5 isa graph representing an anticipated spring curve of spring force appliedby the shock absorber 44 as a function of the suspension travel, whichherein is defined as the vertical distance traveled by the axle housing32 as the rear frame portion 14 pivots about the third pivot 36. Thespring force depicted in FIG. 5 assumes the flexing of the flexibleframe segment 34 does not result in any spring force. However, as notedabove, in certain embodiments such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, theflexing of the frame segment 34 does impart a spring force to thesuspension. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, as the flexible framesegment 34 flexes as the first pivot 40 travels the arc 56 to the crownof the arc 56, it imparts a spring force opposing rotation of the rearframe portion 14 about the third pivot 36 to the point 58 depicted inFIG. 6, which corresponds to a crown of the arc 56 about the secondpivot 42 and will also depict a point called “top dead center” or “TDC”where the first, second and third pivots are substantially linearlyaligned. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are representative of anticipated springcurves of the respective elements and are not in any particular scalerelative to one another. As used herein, “crown” means a point ofmaximum distance of the first pivot 40 from the third pivot 36. In otherembodiments, for example where the pivots of the link 38 are configuredsuch that the first pivot 40 moves in an arc wherein at a mid-point oftravel it is at a closest distance from the third pivot 36, the “crown”would correspond that point on the arc of closest distance causing achange in a spring effect provided by the flexible frame segment 34. Inthe embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4, after the first pivot 40 crossesthe crown and continues along the arc to the fully pivoted position, theflexible frame segment 34 provides a spring force that promotes pivotingof the rear frame portion about the third pivot as the flexible framesegment 34 straightens until the rear frame portion 14 reaches its fullypivoted position depicted in FIG. 3. The configuration of the pivots andflexible frame segment 34 with the geometry illustrated in FIGS. 1-4,along with the flexible frame segment behaving as a leaf spring, has thedesirable effect of increasing the spring force at the outset ofsuspension travel, which helps resist pedal bob as a rider pedals,providing a more efficient pedal stroke. However, as large obstacles 54are encountered by the rear wheel 30 suspension travel increasesresulting in the first pivot 40 traveling along the arc 56 past thecrown with respect to the second pivot 42, and thereafter the flexibleframe segment 34 acts to promote pivoting of the rear frame portion 14about the third pivot 36 to provide a more plush feel to the user, as isdesirable when large obstacles 54 are encountered. This combined effectcan be viewed in the spring curve depicted in FIG. 6.

In the embodiment of the bicycle frame 10 depicted in FIGS. 1-4, theflexible frame segment is substantially parallel with an imaginary linebetween the axle housing 32 (or a junction between the seat stay and thechain stay) and the third pivot 36. Other embodiments could have theframe segment 34 at an angle to this imaginary line between the axlehousing and the third pivot as desired to provide different suspensioneffects. Furthermore, as depicted the first pivot 40 attached to theframe segment 34 is above and rearward relative to the second pivot 42attached to the front frame portion 12. Embodiments could have the firstpivot 40 below and rearward of the second pivot 42 to vary the springcurve. Embodiments could also include configuration of the pivots andthe frame segment 34 to provide a spring force opposing rotation of therear frame portion 14 about the third pivot 36 from a rest position to afully pivoted position. Embodiments could further include configurationswherein the frame segment to provides a spring force promoting rotationof the rear frame portion 14 about the third pivot 36 from a restposition to a fully pivoted position. Embodiments could further includeconfigurations wherein the frame segment provides a spring forcepromoting rotation of the rear frame portion 14 about the third pivot 36from a rest position a select point along the arc 56 and thereafter aspring force opposing rotation of the rear frame portion 14. Thesevarious embodiments will have varying effects on reducing pedal bob ascompared to the embodiment described with respect to FIGS. 1-4.

Further study of the spring force versus suspension travel of theembodiment of a bicycle frame 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 revealedspring force curves somewhat different than those illustrated in theconceptual spring force curves depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 7 moreaccurately depicts the spring force curves of the rear suspensiondescribed with respect to FIGS. 1-4. Curve 7 a represents the springforce applied to the suspension system by the shock absorber 44 only asthe rear suspension pivots between the rest position illustrated in FIG.1 and the fully pivoted position illustrated in FIG. 3. Curve 7 bdepicts the spring force on the suspension system provided by just theframe segment 34 behaving as a leaf spring. Curve 7 c illustrates thecombined effective spring force of the shock absorber 44 and the framesegment 34 on the suspension system. As described above with respect toFIGS. 5 and 6, between a rest position and the position where the secondpivot 42 is at the crown of the arc 56, the frame segment increases thecombined spring force above that of the shock only, opposing pivoting ofthe rear frame portion 14 clockwise about the third pivot 36. When thefirst pivot swings clockwise from the crown, or over top dead center, asillustrated at 58 in FIG. 7, the leaf spring straightens and provides anegative spring force promoting clockwise rotation of the rear frameportion 14 about the third pivot 36, causing the combined spring forceto be less than that provided by the shock absorber alone.

FIGS. 8-11 depicts a second embodiment of a bicycle frame 810 having arear suspension with a flexing frame segment 34 having a configurationof the pivots and the frame segment 34 to provide a spring forceopposing rotation of the rear frame portion 14 about the third pivot 36from a rest position to a fully pivoted position. FIG. 8 illustrates therear suspension in a rest position. In this position the first pivot 40is linearly aligned with the second pivot 42 and the third pivot 36 atthe rest position. In addition, the frame segment 34 is un-flexed andthus applies no spring force to the suspension system. As the rear frameportion 14 rotates clockwise, the frame segment 34 flexes, and imparts aspring force resisting rotation of the rear frame portion 14, asillustrated in FIG. 9. This flexing continues as the rear frame portion14 rotates clockwise until the fully pivoted position illustrated inFIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the frame segment 34 is further flexed atthis point.

FIG. 12 illustrates the effect of the spring force applied by the framesegment 34 to the rear suspension. Curve 12 a shows the spring force asa function of suspension travel of the shock absorber only. Curve 12 bshows the spring force applied to the rear suspension by the framesegment 34 alone. As can be seen in FIG. 12, this spring force startsout at zero with a frame segment 34 un-flexed in a rest position andincreases as the suspension travels to its fully pivoted position. Curve12 c shows the combined spring force of the shock absorber 44 and theframe segment 34.

FIGS. 13-16 depict a third embodiment of a bicycle frame 1310 rearsuspension with a flexing frame segment 34 having a configuration of thepivots and the frame segment 34 to provide a spring force opposingrotation of the rear frame portion 14 about the third pivot 36 from arest position to a fully pivoted position. Referring to FIG. 13, in thethird embodiment, the first pivot 40 in a rest position is disposedfurther counterclockwise than the first pivot 40 in the first embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The frame segment 34 is not flexed in the restposition. As the rear frame portion 14 rotates clockwise around thethird pivot 36, the first pivot 40 rotates clockwise about the secondpivot 42 and the frame segment 34 is flexed as seen in FIG. 14. With therear frame portion 14 fully pivoted as depicted in FIG. 15, the firstpivot 40 is linearly aligned with the second pivot 42 and the thirdpivot 36 to reside in a top dead center position. In addition, thisfurther flexes the frame segment 34.

FIG. 17 depicts the spring force versus suspension travel for the thirdembodiment. Curve 17 a illustrates the spring force applied to thesuspension by the shock absorber 44 alone. Curve 17 b illustrates thespring force applied to the rear suspension by the frame segment 34alone. Curve 17 b illustrates that even though the frame segment 34 isincreasingly flexed as the suspension travels clockwise about the thirdpivot 36, the spring force applied to the suspension only increasesuntil a midpoint in the suspension travel at which point the first pivot40 approaches top dead center relative to the second and third pivotsand the effective spring force applied by the frame segment 34 actuallydecreases until reaching zero as the first pivot reaches the top deadcenter position illustrated in FIG. 16 and the rear frame portion 14 isfully pivoted. FIG. 17c illustrates the combined spring force on thesuspension from the shock absorber 44 and the frame segment 34.

FIGS. 18-21 depict a forth embodiment of a bicycle frame 1810 having arear suspension with a flexing frame segment 34 having a configurationof the pivots and the frame segment 34 which provides a spring forcepromoting rotation of the rear frame portion 14 about the third pivot 36from a rest position to a fully pivoted position. Referring to FIG. 18,in the fourth embodiment at a rest position the first pivot 40 islinearly aligned with the second pivot 42 and the third pivot 36. Inother words, the first pivot 40 is at top dead center over the secondpivot 42. The fourth embodiment further includes the frame segment 34being flexed or preloaded to provide a negative spring force to thesuspension, or a force promotion clockwise rotation of the suspensionabout the pivot 36. However, because at the rest position depicted inFIG. 18 the first pivot is at top dead center relative to the secondpivot 42 and the third pivot 36, the effective spring force applied tothe suspension system by the frame segment 34 is zero. As an obstacle 54is encountered by the rear wheel, the rear suspension is rotatedclockwise about the pivot 36 as illustrated in FIG. 19. Once moved offtop dead center, the frame segment serves to promote rotation of therear frame portion 14 about the pivot 36 because its flex begins todiminish. When the rear frame portion 14 is fully rotated about thepivot 36 as illustrated in FIG. 20, the frame segment 34 is straight(un-flexed) and no longer provides a spring force on the rearsuspension.

The spring force curves of the frame segment 34 and the shock absorber44 as a function of suspension travel for the fourth embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 22. Curve 12 a shows the spring force applied to therear suspension by the shock absorber 44 alone. Curve 12 b shows thespring force applied to the rear suspension by the frame segment 34alone. Curve 12 b illustrates how the frame segment 34 is configured topromote rotation of the rear suspension as soon as the first pivot 40moves off top dead center of the second pivot 42 with that spring forcepromoting clockwise pivoting until the shock absorber 44 is completelycompressed and the rear frame portion 14 is fully pivoted, at which timethe frame segment is straight and applies no spring force. Curve 12 cshows the combined effect of the spring force applied to the rearsuspension by the shock absorber 44 and the frame segment 34 over thecourse of the suspension travel.

FIGS. 23-26 depict a fifth embodiment of a bicycle frame 2310 having arear suspension with a frame segment 34 having a configuration of thepivots and the frame segment 34 which provides a spring force promotingrotation of the rear frame portion 14 about the third pivot 36 from arest position to a fully pivoted position. Referring to FIG. 23, in thefifth embodiment 2310, the first pivot 40 in a rest position is disposedfurther clockwise than the first pivot 40 in the first embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1-4, however, the frame segment 34 is flexed in therest position. As the rear frame portion 14 rotates clockwise around thethird pivot 36, the first pivot 40 rotates clockwise about the secondpivot 42 and the frame segment 34 begins to un-flex as seen in FIG. 24.With the rear frame portion 14 fully pivoted as depicted in FIG. 15, thefirst pivot 40 is linearly aligned with the second pivot 42 and thethird pivot 36 to reside in a top dead center position. With the firstpivot 40 in a top dead center position and the frame segment 34completely un-flexed, the frame segment 34 no longer applies any springforce to the rear suspension.

FIG. 27 depicts the spring force versus suspension travel for the fifthembodiment. Curve 27 a illustrates the spring force applied to thesuspension by the shock absorber 44 alone. Curve 27 b represents thespring force applied to the rear suspension by the frame segment 34alone. Curve 27 c represents the combined spring force applied to therear suspension by the shock absorber 44 and the frame segment 34 overthe course of the suspension travel.

FIGS. 28-31 depict a sixth embodiment of a bicycle frame 2810 having arear suspension with a frame segment 34 having configuration of thepivots and the frame segment 34 providing a spring force promotingrotation of the rear frame portion 14 about the third pivot 36 from arest position to a select point along the arc 56 and thereafter a springforce opposing rotation of the rear frame portion 14. The sixthembodiment of the bicycle frame 2810 is identical to the firstembodiment 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 with the exception that the framesegment 34 is flexed in the rest position illustrated in FIG. 28. Whenthe first pivot 40 reaches the top dead center position illustrated inFIG. 29, the frame segment 34 is un-flexed. As the rear frame portion 14is pivoted further in a clockwise direction, the frame segment 34 beginsto flex, with its maximum flex with the rear frame portion 14 fullypivoted as illustrated in FIG. 30.

The spring force curves of the frame segment 34 and the shock absorber44 as a function of suspension travel for the sixth embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 32. Curve 32 a shows the spring force applied to thesuspension by the shock absorber 44 alone. Curve 32 b shows the springforce applied to the rear suspension by the frame segment 34 alone.Curve 32 b illustrates that at the rest position the frame segment 34imparts a spring force promoting rotation of the rear frame portion 14about the third pivot 36. With the first pivot 40 at top dead centerrelative to the second pivot 42 and the third pivot 36, the framesegment 34 is un-flexed and thus imparts no spring force to thesuspension for that reason and for the additional reason that the firstpivot 40 is at top dead center. Thereafter as the rear suspension pivotsfurther in the clockwise direction, the frame segment 34 flexes opposingclockwise rotation of the frame segment 34 until it reaches its fullypivoted position. Curve 12 c shows the combined effect of the springforce applied to the rear suspension by the shock absorber 44 and theframe segment 34 over the course of the suspension travel.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the bicycleframe 10 having the configuration depicted schematically in FIGS. 1-4showing the rear frame portion 14 comprising a pair of spaced seat stays26 and a pair of spaced chain stays 24 configured to receive a bicyclewheel 30 therebetween. FIG. 33 further illustrates the axle housing 32for receiving an axle of the wheel 30 and a derailleur hanger 60 forattaching a derailleur for shifting the position of a chain 62 along arear cassette 64. FIG. 33 also depicts a front chain ring 66 which isattached a crank (not shown) that rotates about a bottom bracket (notshown) received in the bottom bracket shell 22. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 33, the link 38 comprises a pair of link armsattached to distal ends of the seat stays 26 at the first pivot 40 andthe shock absorber 44 is attached to the first shock pivot 46 by a yoke68 bridging the seat tube 20. In this embodiment the flexible framesegment 34 is a metal plate fixedly attached to the rear frame portion12 and bolted to a pivoting bracket 70 pivotably connected to the seattube 20 by third pivot 36. Alternatively, as discussed above, theflexible frame segment 34 could be fixedly attached to the front frameportion 14 and bolted to a pivoting bracket pivotably connected to therear frame portion 12 near the bottom of the bridge stay.

FIG. 34 is an alternate embodiment of the first embodiment of thebicycle frame 10 having a rear suspension with a flexing frame segmentdepicted schematically in FIGS. 1-4. In this alternate embodiment thelink 38 is in the form of a bell crank 70 which is a single integralpiece and the shock 44 is disposed parallel to the seat tube 20, withall like elements of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 having like referencenumbers in the alternate embodiment of FIG. 34.

The description of the various embodiments has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limiting of the invention to the form disclosed. The scopeof the present invention is limited only by the scope of the followingclaims. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art. The embodiments described and shown in thefigures were chosen and described in order to explain the principles ofthe invention, the practical application, and to enable others ofordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for variousembodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particularuse contemplated. All references cited herein are incorporated in theirentirety by reference.

1. A bicycle frame comprising: a substantially rigid front frameportion; a substantially rigid rear frame portion; a link connected tothe rear frame portion by a first pivot and connected to the front frameportion by a second pivot; and a frame segment rigidly connected at afirst end to one of the rear frame portion or the front frame portionand pivotably connected at a second end to the other of the rear frameportion and the front frame portion by a third pivot, the frame segmentbeing flexible proximate the second end.
 2. The bicycle frame of claim 1wherein the frame segment comprises a leaf spring proximate the secondend.
 3. The bicycle frame of claim 1 wherein the substantially rigidrear frame portion comprises a seat stay, a chain stay and a bridgestay, the seat stay and the chain stay being substantially rigidlyconnected together at their proximal ends and each being substantiallyrigidly connected to the bridge stay, and the frame segment beingsubstantially parallel and aligned with an imaginary line between thejunction between the seat stay and the chain stay and the third pivot.4. The bicycle frame of claim 3 wherein the seat stay and the chain staycomprise forked stay pairs configured to receive a bicycle wheeltherebetween.
 5. The bicycle frame of claim 1 further comprising a shockabsorber pivotably connected between the link and the front frameportion to oppose pivoting of the rear frame portion relative to thefront frame portion in a clockwise direction about the third pivot. 6.The bicycle frame of claim 1 wherein the first pivot floats in an arcabout the second pivot which is fixed relative to front frame portion asthe rear frame portion pivots relative to the front frame portion aboutthe third pivot, and wherein the frame segment flexes to enable thefirst pivot to move in the arc about the second pivot as the framesegment pivots about the third pivot between a rest position and a fullypivoted position.
 7. The bicycle frame of claim 6 wherein the framesegment behaves as a leaf spring as it flexes, the pivots and the framesegment being configured so that the frame segment provides a springforce that varies between opposing and promoting pivoting of the rearframe portion about the third pivot as the rear frame portion is pivotedabout the third pivot from a rest position to a fully pivoted position.8. The bicycle frame of claim 6 wherein the frame segment behaves as aleaf spring as it flexes, the pivots and the frame segment beingconfigured so that the frame segment provides a spring force opposingrotation of the rear frame portion about the third pivot from a restposition to a fully pivoted position.
 9. The bicycle frame of claim 6wherein the frame segment behaves as a leaf spring it flexes, the pivotsand the frame segment being configured so that the frame segmentprovides a spring force promoting rotation of the rear frame portionabout the third pivot from a rest position to a fully pivoted position.10. The bicycle frame of claim 7 wherein the frame segment is disposedbetween rear and front frame portions to provide a spring force opposingrotation of the rear frame portion about the third pivot from a restposition to a point along the travel of the arc of the first pivot aboutthe second pivot and to thereafter provide a spring force promotingrotation of the rear frame portion about the third pivot to a fullypivoted position.
 11. The bicycle frame of claim 7 wherein the framesegment is disposed between rear and front frame portions to provide aspring force promoting rotation of the rear frame portion about thethird pivot from a rest position to a point along the travel of the arcof the first pivot about the second pivot and to thereafter provide aspring force opposing rotation of the rear frame portion about the thirdpivot to a fully pivoted position.
 12. The bicycle frame of claim 1wherein the frame segment is integrally formed with the one of the rearframe portion or the front frame portion to which it is rigidlyconnected.
 13. The bicycle frame of claim 1 wherein the frame segmentcomprises a leaf spring configured to be substantially laterally rigid.14. The bicycle frame of claim 13 wherein the leaf spring is made of ametal.
 15. The bicycle frame of claim 13 wherein the leaf spring is madeof composite material.
 16. The bicycle frame of claim 13 wherein theleaf spring is integrally formed with the one of the rear frame portionor the front frame portion to which it is rigidly connected.
 17. Thebicycle frame of claim 1 wherein the frame segment is attached by afastener to the one of the rear frame portion or the front frame portionto which it is rigidly connected.
 18. The bicycle frame of claim 1wherein the rear frame portion and the front frame portion are made ofcomposite material and the frame segment is made of composite materialintegrally formed with the one of the rear frame portion or the frontframe portion to which it is rigidly connected.
 19. A bicycle framecomprising: a substantially rigid front frame portion; a substantiallyrigid rear frame portion; a link connected to the rear frame portion bya first pivot and connected to the front frame portion by a secondpivot; and a frame segment rigidly connected at a first end to one ofthe rear frame portion or the front frame portion and pivotablyconnected at a second end to the other of the rear frame portion and thefront frame portion by a third pivot, the frame segment being flexiblewithin the first ½ of the distance between the front frame portion andan axle housing of the rear frame portion.